Download MendeleyPhage Dutpases Control Transfer of Virulence Genes by a Proto-Oncogenic G Protein-Like Mechanism.
Tormo-Mas, M.A., Donderis, J., Garcia-Caballer, M., Alt, A., Mir-Sanchis, I., Marina, A., Penades, J.R.(2013) Mol Cell 49: 947
- PubMed: 23333307
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2012.12.013
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
3ZEZ, 3ZF0, 3ZF1, 3ZF2, 3ZF3, 3ZF4, 3ZF5, 3ZF6 - PubMed Abstract:
dUTPases (Duts) have emerged as promising regulatory molecules controlling relevant cellular processes. However, the mechanism underlying this regulatory function remains enigmatic. Using staphylococcal pathogenicity island (SaPI) repression as a model, we report here that phage Duts induce the transfer of SaPI-encoded virulence factors by switching between active (dUTP-bound) and inactive (apo state) conformations, a conversion catalyzed by their intrinsic dUTPase activity. Crystallographic and mutagenic analyses demonstrate that binding to dUTP reorders the C-terminal motif V of the phage-encoded Duts, rendering these proteins into the active conformation required for SaPI derepression. By contrast, the conversion to the apo state conformation by hydrolysis of the bound dUTP generates a protein that is unable to induce the SaPI cycle. Because none of the requirements involving Duts in SaPI transfer are exclusive to the phage-encoded proteins, we propose that Duts are widespread cellular regulators acting in a manner analogous to the eukaryotic G proteins.
Organizational Affiliation:
Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (CITA-IVIA), Segorbe, 12400 Castellón, Spain.
